RetroN5: Hands on first look

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Isn't the fact that this is just a box that runs emulators fairly new news? I know it was speculated when they first announced it'd do save states and the like, but I don't remember it ever really being confirmed until people got their hands on the thing. I was hoping against this.

With the knowledge that this IS an emulator box, you're right, there is no reason to choose this over something like an Ouya or Gamestick or any other number of set-top Android machines.

No no, Hyperkin announced last winter that the RetroN5 would be Android based, which meant emulation right off the bat. The only thing that's new news is exactly how it does that - ie. by dumping the contents of the carts to rom and then running those roms as any other emulator would.

As to where the RetroN5 fits in between the other options like Ouya, I think it would be unfair to prejudge the RetroN5, especially since it isn't out yet, and I've yet to try it. I wasn't and I still am not trying to suggest the Ouya is a better option, especially for everyone. I was specifically referring to those people who planned on buying a RetroN5 solely to run flashcarts. Compared with that specific situation, the Ouya would make a lot more sense than an emulator machine running roms off a flashcart not designed for an emulator machine.

Maybe this has already been answered and I missed it...

But what is the point of the console needing to check a pre-programmed database of roms? If it's an emulation machine, I don't understand why that would be the case. If it's reading the data directly from the cart and putting it through an emulator, the data is right there so why cross check? If it's dumping the rom from the cart, then emulating it, it just dumped the rom so the data is right there so why cross check?

The cross checking seems like a useless middleman that will only hurt compatibility.

The fact is, we simply don't know yet. It could be the preprogrammed database is used for game rom identification purposes so that it can automatically bring up gamegenie codes or perhaps box art. I suspect that hacks or homebrews or unlicensed games may still work, but just come up as unknown games. That's speculation as is everything else, because the system isn't out yet and Hyperkin hasn't confirmed anything on the subject.

I was hoping it would have this ability. Will be handy for changing out save batteries. And hopefully it will offer some other advantages.
I wonder if I'd be able to get all the known e-Reader add-ons for Super Mario Brothers 3 onto my cartridge by downloading the appropriate file to SD card and writing it to my own cartridge?

Savestates are a given. Any emulator worth a damn has savestates. It's unheard of for an emulator not to offer savestates. *COUGHCOUGHWIIVIRUTALCONSOLE*

I doubt the RetroN5 will allow you to dump a rom to another medium. What would Hyperkin gain by allowing you to do that? It's not like they have any reason to do so, other than it would be nice.

You know, I can do this with a DS Lite and a slot-1 flash cart. It's been about 3 years since I last did it and I think the deal is I can get all but two of the levels on there because of limited storage space, but if you're interested, PM me and we can probably work something out. I'd just need to brush up on the process. :-)

Do...you have a Mario Advance 4 rom that has the e-reader stages? I bought the game on launch, but I never bought an e-reader. If you've got a rom that has those stages unlocked, that would be something that I'd be interested in. could you email me at satoshimatrix@hotmail.com? Thanks.